{“title”:”Dad Fights Off Knife-Wielding Kidnapper in Walmart”,”body”:”> At a Glance
> – A father was injured stopping an armed kidnapper who tried to snatch his child from a stroller inside a Cornelius, Ore., Walmart on Dec. 21, 2025
> – Denis Villalobos, 37, allegedly pulled a knife during the struggle, then fled in a white Jeep
> – A grand jury indicted him on five charges, including second-degree attempted kidnapping and assault
> – Why it matters: A small-town family outing turned terrifying, highlighting how quickly public spaces can become crime scenes
A routine Walmart run turned into a life-or-death struggle when a stranger tried to abduct a child from a stroller, leaving the father wounded and the community rattled.
## The Attack
Cornelius Police say the family was shopping Dec. 21 when Denis Villalobos began stalking them, staring at the child as they walked past. Surveillance shows he followed them through aisles before lunging at the stroller.
The father intervened, suffering injuries while wrestling Villalobos away. During the fight, the suspect yanked a knife from his pocket but dropped it and ran.
– Weapon: Knife pulled mid-struggle
– Injury: Father hurt protecting child
– Escape: Fled in white Jeep
## Capture and Charges
A witness jotted down the Jeep’s plate, letting officers trace the vehicle to Villalobos’ Cornelius address. A Forest Grove officer spotted him near the store and arrested him.
Eight days later, a Washington County Grand Jury returned a five-count indictment:
| Charge | Degree |
|——–|——–|
| Attempted Kidnapping | Second |
| Assault | Second & Fourth |
| Unlawful Use Weapon | – |
| Menacing | – |
Corporal David Huey told local media the family didn’t know Villalobos, calling his behavior predatory.
## Community Reaction
The child’s mother thanked local police for their quick response, saying it’s scary to know the suspect lives nearby but reassuring to have a close-knit department.
Key Takeaways
– Dec. 21 attack inside Cornelius Walmart
– Father injured stopping Denis Villalobos, 37
– Grand jury indicted on five felony counts
– Suspect caught same day thanks to witness tip
Villalobos remains in Washington County Jail awaiting trial as the family recovers from the terrifying ordeal.”,meta_description:”Dad injured fighting knife-wielding man who tried to kidnap his child at Oregon Walmart. Suspect indicted on five charges, including attempted kidnapping.”,categories”:[“Local News”,”Breaking News”]}
